A little more LOVE

Well today I'm posting part two of my Valentine cards...

I realised how close it's getting to Valentines day and I hadn't posted any cards... so I'll also be posting some more tomorrow!

Here are todays' offerings -

There are two types of embossing on this card - the strip of embossed hearts from the Adorning Accents set - then the Flowerful Heart - Available for a limited period is heat embossed with Cherry Cobbler embossing powder to match the card stock - the Gold foil sheets are carrying over from the Autumn/Winter seasonal to the Spring/Summer one! Cut out using the Hearts Collection framelits. The sentiment is from See Ya Later - available exclusively, Free, with a £45 order during Sale-a-Bration.

Can you see the hint of a sparkle there? That is the Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz.

For this card I used the Hearts Collection framelits and the small heart punch, Chalk Talk stamp set and matching framelits . So elegant - don't you think?

Lastly I cut the hearts out of the white card stock and used the negative for this one. I just love the rhinestones!

And the sentiment from Million & One is embossed using that lovely Cherry Cobbler embossing powder again! - I deliberately didn't use the Embossing Buddy as I wanted the fine 'mist' of red from the 'stray' embossing powders.

I hope you'll be back tomorrow for another installment of Luurve.

xxx

More Vellum...

Just before Christmas I posted my Pop Up flower card as an example of something else you can do with Vellum - well today I have a couple more cards to show you with 3 techniques for Vellum.

This first card is the simplest - I have used the World Map background stamp on the Vellum, The Open Sea and Simply Sketched stamps with the Decorative Label punch, the aperture is cut using the Ovals framelits, the Map stamped on the opaque Vellum gives a really interesting background.

For the second card I stamped the Poppy from Simply Sketched on the Vellum - then coloured it with my Blender Pens. I have again used the Decorative Label punch and Ovals framelits. The colouring technique gives a really soft effect.

Lastly - and again really simple but so effective is the use of embossing folders on Vellum. I have used two different ones here - the Adorning Accents and Needlepoint Border.

You will also see I have used the Expressions Thinlits for the word Love... only available until the 1st of February.

Have you noticed the Sneak Peeks I managed to sneak in here? The Decorative Dots embossing folder and the Banner Blast stamp set with coordinating punch will all be available from the end of January - you will be able to select from one of these or the other fabulous items free with orders of at least £45 during Sale-a-Bration.

Anyhow - that's all from me today. I hope you had a lovely Christmas and are looking forward to the weekend as much as I am - especially as I am getting a new hairdo, hubby is off out and I'll have 2 whole days to myself for crafting.

Pxx

Convention Design Challenge

You may remember I showed you a couple of Christmas cards I made based on my entry for the Convention Design Challenge.

Now we are nearly at Convention I thought I would share my entry with you.

I have used the Expressions Thinlits and trimmed the 'Thankful' to make Thank U. I used the Boho Blossoms and Itty Bitty Punches with leaves from the Bird Builder for the flowers and leaves, I used the Adorning Accents Framelits and Embossing Folders, the background is the In-Colour DSP (designer series paper). I have embellished with some Pearl Basic Jewels.

I hope you like it and I'll be posting my swaps later this week.

Can you believe I am packed already?!

Paula xxx

Design Challenge from Stampin' Up!

A few weeks back Stampin' Up! set us a challenge to design a project for display at convention with the winner, winning a shopping spree.

We could submit up to two items, a card front and a 3D project - of course a lot of the demo's went away with their heads full of ideas.

Though I'm afraid I was stumped, I'm not great at innovation and freely admit that without the internet I would have very few ideas, and most of mine are at least partially copied.

Anyhow, we had to have our designs in to Head Office in High Wycombe by the 31st of October. Not that I often leave things 'til the last minute but last Sunday I had a sudden flash of inspiration... all by myself!

And here are a couple of cards using a similar theme - but I will keep Sunday's original until convention. Only 3 weeks away!!!!!!!!!!

I used Whisper White card, Season of Style DSP, The Boho Blossom, Itty Bitty Shapes and Bird Builder punches, Adorning Accents edgelits and embossing folder and the Expressions thinlits.

Here is a close up of the flowers with their Rhinestone jewel centres.

I know it's nothing super elaborate but I think they are really pretty and simple to do.

Hope you are having a fabby weekend and I'll be back soon... I only have the washing to do, the rabbit to clean out and the dogs to walk on Sunday so tonight and tomorrow I hope to be crafting!

Pxxx

Wedding Keepsake

I  have lots of cards I need to make in the next few days - my Mum's birthday, a couple of weddings, a get well soon... and I'm sure I've forgotten something!

Anyway - yesterday on my Facebook page I promised to share a wedding keepsake I have made for a friend - I gave it to her today as I shan't see her before she gets married.

It was almost completely CASE'd from a US Demo called Beth Beard. I loved it so much I had to have a go... though I forgot the butterfly she had added to hers!

I also made a box using my Simply Scored score board and Chalk Talk with matching Framelits (I use this a lot as you will notice!) and circle punches with Organza ribbon.

Then inside is this beautiful tag...

I used En Francais for the background, Adorning Accent embossing folder, Teeny Tiny Sentiments, sentiment with embossing powder, the leaves are from the Bird Builder punch, more Organza ribbon and the flower itself made using the Blossom punch and sponged with Raspberry Ripple.

I really enjoyed making this project and hope you like it too.

Back Soon! I have so many things to share - but must get some crafting done too!

Pxxx

Double Challenge Entry

I hope you enjoyed the Pinkies Blog Hops this weekend. We had great fun and I was so impressed with everyones projects.

I have been enjoying challenges so much I am being brave and combining two challenges today!

I have really focused on all the new Spring/Summer products so today I have incorporated a couple of old favourites!

The stamped flower is from the Love and Sympathy set, the sentiment from Petite Pairs.

The DSP is the Natural Composition Speciality Designer Series Paper, cut with the Adorning Accent Edgelit, embossed with the corresponding Adorning Accent embossing folder.

The patterned paper is Comfort Cafe, the ribbon and buttons are Sale-a-bration items. You can get these free with a £45 order! The little pearl is from my stash. It just matched so perfectly!

A little tip for threading your buttons... thread a needle with normal thread, go in and out of the same hole in your button leaving a loop. Thread the end of your ribbon through the loop, pull the cotton taut and pull the loop through and the ribbon will come too!

I hope you like this one - do let me know. I love to get comments!

The first challenge is Dynamic Duos Colour challenge you can visit their blog here - Dynamic Duos

The second is the Mojo Monday Challenge 280 you can visit them here - Mojo Monday

 



Come back and visit soon!

Paula xxx

Pals Paper Arts Challenge - PPA152

Today we had some good news - Hubby has an emergency appointment tomorrow with a specialist to look at his back. Hopefully he'll get fixed as I'm not sure how much longer either of us can cope with his pain levels... for different reasons!

Todays Pals Challenge is a colour challenge. A card using the following 3 colours.

 

I have made my card using Real Red as the card base, I then added a piece of Pool Party Core-Dinations card stock, this is fabby stuff as the inner layer is lighter so you can use the Stampin' Up! Sanding System to gently remove the top layer and reveal the lighter colour below. I did that at each end where I had embossed the layer with the Adorning Accents heart folder.

Next I added a wide band of Real Red with a layer of DSP from the Print Poetry set in the new catalogue, it just happened to be Real Red and Primrose Petals!

On the band I stuck a scallop oval in Real Red and a sentiment from Petite Pairs stamped in Real Red on Pool Party and cut out with the Oval Punch.

Finally I used my Versamark to stamp one of the Papillon Potpourri butterflies on Primrose Petals card stock and embossed it with the lovely new Pool Party Embossing Powder. These were punched out with the corresponding Elegant Butterfly punch and added to the card.

 

 

I hope you have enjoyed todays offerings and if you would like to order any of the products, join my team or just find out a little more about Stampin' Up! Visit my contact page and get in touch! And pop back on Saturday for our Blog Hop!

 

Paula xxx

 



Stampin' Up! - Bordering on Romance

Tuesday evening we had a great time at a party - all of the guests were Stamping and Sticking and for many (hopefully) enjoying their first crafting experience.

We really went to town with punches, the Big Shot and glitter. What a fab way to break up the working week.

What is even better is the party sales figure meant the lovely Hostess got £40 off a Big Shot! Bargain.

So here's to something else I made this week. If you remember I was a little dubious of my colouring skills. But Stampin' Up! products do really help you get the hang of new techniques...

Maybe my colouring skills aren't quite as bad as I thought!

For this card I used Pink Pirouette as the main focus colour and the Bordering on Romance Stamp Set. I also used the co-ordinating Adorning Accents Framelits and Edgelits, the Labels Collection Framelits and Fancy Fan embossing folder.

To get the shading just right I actually coloured using ink from my ink pads, painted on with my Blender Pens.

I hope you like it... remember if there is a particular style or technique you would like to try I am just on the end of the phone. I can also demonstrate it at a party or workshop.

Please leave a comment and consider holding a party yourself... you could qualify for at least £25 worth of FREE product!

Paula xxx

Punch Art and Embroidery

Last week a very good friend of mine had a birthday. Now this friend collects Elephants and I don't have an Elephant stamp so I wracked my brains, trawled Google and CASE'd this card... with a few tweaks. (I can't remember whose Blog it was on but there were a couple of versions.)

As well as a selection of Stampin' Up punches I also used my Adorning Accents Edgelits and my Little Leaves Sizzlits.

The 'E' which is my friends initial is stamped with the new Lovely Letters Alphabet Stamps.

Then to co-ordinate with the card I embroidered another little elephant with a lilac butterfly on to a cotton tote bag.

I do embroider these bags to order and they are available in lots of colours at £8.50 per bag plus P&P.

Having posted every day last week I thought I would add a little suspense... and stop bombarding my friends with FB links to my Blog. So this week I have been a little more selective. But check back each day just in case there is something new to see.

There will also be a Pinkies Blog Hop coming soon!

For those of you who haven't heard of this, it's a post with a link to the next Blog... then the next links to the next and so on. So you are taken on a tour of Pinkie Blogs. I hope you enjoy it.

The first Blog in the Hop will be the lovely Michelle Last... who is our wonderful Upline though you can start anywhere on the Hop as it will link in a continuous loop.

Hope you are having a good week!

Paula xxx

Bad Blogger!

I have failed - I'm so sorry!

I had all good intentions to take my camera and get lots of fantastic photo's at the Pinkies' Training on Sunday. Unfortunately my organisational skills didn't extend to remembering to put a memory card in the camera!

To make up for it I am showing you the most fantastic 'Make and Take' that we were able to make.

Now I am not the fastest crafter in the world so I completed it last night so I could show you all!

 

It is a stunning notecard holder with 4 notecards - Isn't it just beautiful!?

 

Here are the notecards to go inside...

 

 



 The design uses just one Stampset. Kindness Matters... Can you believe it is only £8.95 for the clear set! The colours are Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla and Whisper White.

There are a number of different Edgelits, Framelits and Embossing folders - I hope you agree it is a truly stunning set and would make a great gift!

The Paper used to make the folders is almost card stock thickness and is the Natural Composition Speciality Designer Series Paper. Not something I have really taken much notice of before but this little project highlighted it's versatility - I LOVE it!

Thank you to the lovely Nicky Dexter and Michelle Last who came up with this Make and Take - Very Happy!

Back soon so keep your eyes peeled for the next project I will be showing you - I can assure you it is something completely different!

Paula xxx





The Excitement - All New Stampin' Up Goodies!

Well I haven't blogged for a few days as I was waiting for my new stash from Stampin' Up! I may have gone a bit over the top with my order, the only trouble is I am already thinking ,'I should have bought...'

The first project I made was a Birthday Card for my Mum. It's OK she won't see it. She doesn't 'do' computers! I hope she'll like it!

You remember that colouring I was talking about - I definitely haven't mastered it but I think this is OK. I used my Stampin' Write Markers,

The colour combo's on this card are Bravo Burgundy and Always Artichoke.

The ribbon is Whisper White 1cm Taffeta with a Regals, Garden Green Brad.

The cardstock is Bravo Burgundy and Whisper White.

The Rubber Stamp Sets are Bordering on Romance, Papillon Potpourri and Beautiful Birthday.

The Framelits used to cut out each element are the Labels Framelit and Floral Frames Framelit.

I also used one of the Adorning Accents Embossing Folders and co-ordinating Edgelit.

Each of the flowers is embellished with a 3mm Pearl Basic Jewel.

Lastly, because I have been dying to get this set, and because I have bought a Heat Gun and Embossing Powders, I Stamped one of the Papillon Potpourri Butterflies, embossed it with Gold Stampin' Emboss® powder, Punched out the Butterfly with my new Butterfly Punch and added it.

I'm pleased as punch with it, Stampin' Up! really do know how to co-ordinate their products!

I have four more projects to show you so remember to come back and check them out!

If you would like to see any of these products demonstrated - then ask me when you book your Party! If you want to place an order or book a party call me on 07786 860438.

Paula xx